It happens every session. The public employee union machine, enabled by war chests of union dues, liberal lawmakers and some members of the media, proclaims the sky is falling at the first sign of cuts - or even reductions to the amount of desired increases. Using inaccurate sob stories, big-government advocates flood committee rooms, while private employers and employees often don't have time to sit through a four-hour meeting to offer three minutes of testimony.

Physically being in Carson City creates a false sense of reality for many politicians. They're surrounded by lobbyists and union workers who want them - THEM - to solve their problems. It's easy to lose sight of the individuals who are struggling, but aren't looking to the government for help. So easy to satisfy the people who are there - lobbyists and government employees - at the expense of the average citizen who's going to pay those taxes, because a politician can forget him.

"Shared sacrifice" indeed. Let's hope lawmakers, like Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, who's quoted in the article showing some critical thinking skills, challenge the lies and hyperbole put forward by public employee unions during the next election and the 2013 session.

1. The fundamental issue is: "What is the role of government and what taxpayer resources are needed to accomplish those goals?" If citizens limited government to its core functions and relied on practices like competitive bidding to obtain those outcomes, there would be many layoffs. This would be great for taxpayers - especially since the quality of government services would improve. The point of this post, though, is to show the disconnect between the truth and the exaggerations you often hear from liberals and government union lobbyists.

2. On a personal level, I am extremely sympathetic to anyone who has lost a job - be it a public- or private-sector employee. It stinks to be without a job. Personal sympathy, whether mine or a lawmaker's, though, doesn't justify taking more money from taxpayers to give a public employee a job. What about the employee in the private sector who doesn't get hired, because taxes increased? If the government picks winners, there are always losers.

Victor Joecks is executive vice president at the Nevada Policy Research Institute and oversees the execution of NPRI's strategic plan and policy initiatives. He joined the Institute in 2009 and previously served as its communication director. Under his leadership, NPRI obtained record amounts of state and national media coverage.